Thursday, June 11, 2026

Waymo launches a loyalty program with 10% cash back and free cancellations

Waymo has introduced a loyalty program named Waymo Premier, aimed at frequent robotaxi riders for $29.99 per month. This program offers members benefits such as 10% cash back on rides, the ability to skip the virtual line, and five free ride cancellations monthly. Notably, Premier members can also hail robotaxis in cities with waitlists. However, the program will not be available in Austin or Atlanta, where Waymo's service is limited to the Uber app. This launch coincides with Waymo's broader expansion plans across the U.S. and an upcoming international rollout, alongside the introduction of its new vehicle, the Zeekr-built van called 'Ojai.'

OpenAI to acquire Ona to support its AI coding assistant, Codex

OpenAI has announced its intention to acquire Ona, a startup specializing in secure cloud environments for AI agents. This acquisition aims to enhance OpenAI's coding assistant, Codex, enabling it to manage longer-running tasks and facilitate the deployment of AI agents for organizations. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Ona's team will integrate into OpenAI's Codex division following the acquisition's completion. OpenAI has been actively investing in Codex, which has seen a significant increase in usage, now supporting over 5 million weekly active users.

Free Deezer tool lets users on any streaming service check their playlists for AI music

Deezer has unveiled a free tool that allows users across any major streaming platform to check their playlists for AI-generated music. CEO Alexis Lanternier revealed that 43 percent of users transitioning from other services to Deezer already have AI tracks included in their playlists. The tool, which is available in 27 languages and supports 20 different platforms, comes in response to a survey indicating that 97 percent of respondents struggle to differentiate AI music from human-created songs, despite 80 percent expressing a desire for clear labeling. Deezer currently sees around 75,000 AI-generated tracks uploaded daily, which accounts for over 44 percent of total daily uploads, and these AI songs are removed from the platform's recommendations and editorial playlists.

Some Pentagon workers ordered to shelter in place as air quality issue is investigated

On Thursday, some Pentagon employees were instructed to shelter in place due to an air quality issue detected by the building's systems. Specifically, workers in corridors 4 through 7 on floors 2 to 5 received an email alerting them to remain in their offices until air quality tests are completed. A hazardous materials team from the Arlington County Fire Department is currently assisting the Pentagon Force Protection Agency's Hazmat Team. Pentagon guards have also been seen wearing gas masks as a precautionary measure, although no law enforcement units have been deployed in relation to the incident.

DoorDash’s new AI chatbot lets you order with prompts and photos

DoorDash has unveiled its AI chatbot, Ask DoorDash, enabling users to order food and groceries through text prompts and photos. This feature allows for a more conversational search experience, letting users describe their cravings or upload images of recipes and grocery lists. The app will suggest restaurants or grocery items based on user preferences, dietary needs, and past orders. Currently available on iOS in select regions, the chatbot is set to expand across the U.S. in the coming weeks, reflecting DoorDash's commitment to integrating AI into everyday shopping.

OpenAI vs. Anthropic: A price war over API tokens is brewing

OpenAI is reportedly considering cutting its token prices to attract customers from rival Anthropic, as both companies face increasing operational costs. CEO Sam Altman noted that expenses have become a major issue for businesses, especially as Anthropic's coding tool, Claude Code, gains traction among developers. This competitive landscape has prompted some enterprise customers to scale back their AI spending, as costs have shifted from flat-rate subscriptions to usage-based billing, resulting in substantial increases in monthly expenses. Both companies are also preparing for public offerings, with OpenAI's IPO paperwork filed confidentially this week, targeting a 2027 launch, while Anthropic plans to list later this year.

Announcements Jun 11, 2026 Introducing Claude Corps We’re launching Claude Corps, a national fellowship program for people early in their careers who are passionate about extending the benefits of AI to communities across America.

Anthropic has introduced Claude Corps, a national fellowship initiative designed to train 1,000 early-career individuals in leveraging AI for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. The program, backed by an initial investment of $150 million, will provide fellows with a full-time salary of $85,000 and comprehensive training on using Claude in nonprofit settings. Over the next year, at least 400 nonprofits will host these fellows, enhancing their operational capabilities while fostering valuable AI skills among participants.

Endurance Energy raises $54M to harness a massive untapped energy source

Endurance Energy, founded by former SpaceX engineer Andrew Redd, has secured $54 million in Series A funding to explore geothermal energy sources deep in the ocean. The funding, led by Founders Fund, will support the development of power plants aimed at meeting the increasing energy demands from sectors like AI and electric vehicles. Redd, who has assembled a team of 25 employees, including 12 ex-SpaceX staff, believes geothermal energy is the only viable renewable source that can provide continuous, baseload power. The company plans to tap into geothermal resources located near the Ring of Fire, which could yield up to 6 terawatts of energy over the next five to ten years.

Cash App’s launching a phone service

Cash App has introduced Cash App Mobile, an AT&T-based mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that offers an unlimited 5G data plan for $40 per month, inclusive of taxes and fees. This service is powered by Gigs, the same white label operator that supports Klarna's mobile service. Cash App Mobile is rolling out to select users now, with plans for wider availability in the coming months. The service will also integrate with Cash App's Green rewards program and Cash App Families, enhancing financial management for users.

As OpenAI leans into enterprise business, Apple and Google set sights on the masses

OpenAI is shifting its focus from consumer products to enterprise solutions, recently filing for a confidential IPO as it gains traction in AI-assisted coding. This pivot contrasts with Apple and Google, which are targeting consumer AI, exemplified by Apple's introduction of a new Siri app at its annual developers conference. While Apple boasts over 2.5 billion active devices, its WWDC announcements were met with skepticism, resulting in a 5% drop in stock price. Meanwhile, OpenAI's valuation is currently at $852 billion, trailing behind Anthropic's $965 billion, as it continues to prioritize enterprise revenue, which is expected to reach 50% of total revenue by the end of 2023.

U.S.-Iran hostilities escalate, Oracle's fundraising plans, $100,000 colleges and more in Morning Squawk

The U.S. has launched airstrikes against multiple targets in Iran, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command, following President Donald Trump's declaration that the U.S. would attack Tehran 'very hard.' This escalation has led to a drop in the stock market, marking the Dow Jones Industrial Average's worst day of the year. In retaliation, Iranian state media reported strikes on U.S. forces in Kuwait and Bahrain. Despite these tensions, oil prices have decreased, as markets speculate on a potential resolution to the conflict, a claim Trump has previously made without follow-through.

Dario Amodei's new essay reads like a Cold War playbook for the AI age

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has released an essay titled 'Policy on the AI Exponential,' advocating for stringent regulations on frontier AI models. The company proposes mandatory audits by qualified third parties to assess risks in cybersecurity, biological threats, and loss of control over AI systems. Amodei emphasizes the urgency of addressing these challenges, likening the current political response to the slow Treebeard from 'Lord of the Rings,' while warning that unregulated AI could lead to catastrophic consequences within just a couple of years.

Wikipedia just launched its daily historical facts game on iPhone: Which came first?

Wikipedia has introduced a daily historical facts game titled 'Which came first?' for iPhone users, now available in the latest version of its iOS app. This game, which originally launched on Android, presents players with five questions each day centered around significant historical events that occurred on the same date. Users can also access an archive of previous rounds and monitor their average scores and gameplay streaks, enhancing engagement with historical knowledge.

iOS 27 gives Apple Mail my most wished for feature upgrade

iOS 27 is set to transform Apple Mail with a long-awaited search feature that prioritizes relevance and accuracy. Users have criticized the app's previous search capabilities, often describing them as inadequate. The new update introduces a ranking system that brings the most pertinent results to the forefront, even for emails that are deeply buried in the inbox. A beta version of iOS 27 includes a banner that highlights 'Expanded Search Results,' indicating that the search function will interpret user intent rather than just matching keywords. This significant upgrade is anticipated to be linked to broader improvements in Siri and AI, with the full release expected in fall 2026.

YouTube is introducing DMs (again)

YouTube is reintroducing its private messaging feature, allowing users aged 18 and older to share videos and chat within the app. This comes after the platform initially launched private messaging in 2017 and discontinued it in 2019 to prioritize public interactions. The new messaging system, which began testing in November 2025, requires users to verify their age and send invitation links via third-party messaging platforms to connect with others. YouTube aims to enhance user experience by enabling video sharing among friends and family directly within the app, stating that community guidelines will govern all shared content.

Apple again warns developers not to do what Apple did in macOS 26 Tahoe

Apple has once again cautioned developers against repeating the design mistakes seen in macOS 26 Tahoe, particularly regarding the excessive use of menu item icons. The company's updated guidelines for macOS 27 Golden Gate stress the importance of using icons sparingly and with clear purpose. This advice echoes warnings from 1992, when Apple described similar practices as distracting and confusing. The backlash against macOS 26's icons has prompted Apple to correct its course, signaling a renewed focus on user-friendly design principles within its software team.

Ryanair is under investigation over charging parents to sit with their kids

Ryanair is currently under investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for its practice of charging parents mandatory fees to ensure they sit with their children during flights. The CMA is assessing whether these fees, typically £8 (around $10) per flight, are 'unfair' under consumer law, as they may not comply with regulations requiring businesses to present total ticket prices upfront. Ryanair mandates that at least one parent or guardian must sit with children aged 2 to 11, making this fee a requirement for family travel. The CMA highlights that Ryanair is the only major airline operating out of the UK to impose such charges, raising concerns about transparency in pricing.

AI mega-listings are 'just the start,' Razer CEO says, ahead of historic SpaceX IPO

Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan forecasts a series of significant IPOs from AI-focused companies, calling the upcoming public offerings 'just the start.' His comments come as SpaceX, valued at $1.77 trillion, prepares for its IPO, alongside filings from Anthropic and OpenAI. Tan highlighted Razer's commitment to AI, noting the company has invested over $600 million in AI initiatives and launched products like the AI headset Project Motoko, which offers real-time translation and guidance.

People Living Near xAI’s Dirty Data Centers Are Furious About the SpaceX IPO

As SpaceX prepares for its IPO with a target valuation exceeding $1.75 trillion, communities near xAI's data centers are voicing their anger over pollution from unpermitted gas turbines. Local representatives, including Tennessee House member Justin Pearson, claim that the emissions from these turbines pose serious health risks, particularly in historically marginalized neighborhoods like Boxtown, which already suffers from high asthma rates. Despite the economic benefits, including an estimated $28 million in property taxes for Shelby County, residents are demanding accountability and transparency from SpaceX and xAI regarding their environmental practices.

Several things I like about macOS 27 Golden Gate that have nothing to do with AI

The beta release of macOS 27 Golden Gate showcases several user interface enhancements and improved external display support. Notably, the update introduces fine-grained control over the Liquid Glass effect, allowing users to adjust its opacity, a feature absent in previous versions. Additionally, Golden Gate adds native support for 5K ultrawide displays, enhancing compatibility for high-resolution monitors. Apple has also streamlined the design by removing most SF Symbols glyphs from menu items, addressing readability concerns, and has made changes to window corner shapes for better usability.

OpenAI's GPT-5.5 and Codex Reach General Availability on Amazon Bedrock

OpenAI's GPT-5.5 and Codex are now generally available on Amazon Bedrock, following a revised cloud arrangement that allows distribution beyond Microsoft. This launch enables over 100,000 organizations already using Bedrock to access OpenAI's models without establishing new vendor relationships. The integration incorporates AWS-native governance controls, ensuring customer data remains secure and is not utilized for model training. Codex, which serves over 5 million developers weekly, shifts to a pay-per-token billing model, enhancing cost efficiency for large teams while leveraging GPT-5.5 for coding tasks.

Google DeepMind is worried about what happens when millions of agents start to interact

Google DeepMind has announced a $10 million funding initiative aimed at researching the risks associated with millions of AI agents interacting online. Rohin Shah, head of AGI safety and alignment research at DeepMind, highlights that these agents, capable of executing tasks autonomously, pose new risks, including scams and cyberattacks. To address these concerns, DeepMind is collaborating with organizations such as Schmidt Sciences and ARIA to stimulate research outside of tech companies, as there currently is no established field for multi-agent safety. Shah believes that understanding these interactions through simulations is crucial before widespread deployment occurs in the economy.

Philips Hue rolling out ‘Sports Live,’ syncs your lights to the World Cup – here’s what you need [Gallery]

Philips Hue is rolling out a new feature called 'Sports Live' this month, designed to sync smart lighting with live sporting events, including the upcoming World Cup. This feature allows lights to change colors and effects in real-time, creating an immersive atmosphere in the home. Users can experience dramatic countdowns to kickoff, flashes of color for goals, and animations celebrating the winning team. Setup takes about 5-10 minutes and requires at least one color-capable light, with options to customize the experience by selecting a favorite team and room. Integration with platforms like Samsung SmartThings further enhances the matchday experience.

Oppo Find N7, the wide one, reportedly has a 7.6-inch display with less of a crease

The Oppo Find N7 is set to enhance the foldable smartphone experience with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display, as reported by leaker Digital Chat Station. This new model aims to build on the success of the Find N6, which is recognized for its minimal crease. Oppo's latest hinge technology is expected to further improve crease visibility and tactile feel. The device will be powered by a Snapdragon Elite Gen 6 chipset, positioning it competitively against other foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has a smaller outer display.